TNAG-1839-FCO40-2614-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 83

change in the British Nationality Act, which was endorsed

(as was earlier legislation on the subject) by the

British Parliament of the day. There have nevertheless

been some calls for Hong Kong passport holders to be

given right of abode in the United Kingdom. The

Government do not believe that it would be sensible, or

acceptable to Parliament, to give over 3 million people

the right to enter this country, even if the majority had

no intention of exercising this right. Such a move could

be interpreted as a vote of no confidence in Hong Kong's

future. The Government believe that the right course is

to seek to secure Hong Kong's future through the

implementation of the Joint Declaration, not to undermine

it.

Conclusion

54. The reversion of Hong Kong to China has always been

an inevitable fact of history. The Government have,

however, done everything in their power to ensure that

this happens under the best possible conditions. The

Joint Declaration provides the basis for a secure and

prosperous future for the territory. A great deal of

effort is now being put into the task of ensuring that it

works. It is a difficult and painstaking task. Much

still remains to be done. But we are on course and the

Government are determined to play their full part in

ensuring the success of this unique and historic

enterprise.